The American Revolution was arguably the most trying time in the history our country and, as the inheritors of the immense financial, social and spiritual freedoms American offers, we are deeply indebted to our forefathers for their insight, passion and wisdom. While secondary schools and universities emphasize the political legacies of the Founding Fathers, it is also important to understand their characters and they way they lived their lives. Politics and countries come and go as time passes, but character endures. Indeed, a pattern emerges of integrated lives: people living with a strong sense of purpose and financial integrity, while striving to develop their communities and family lives. An exemplary illustration of this is found in the life of our nation’s first treasurer: Michael Hillegas.
Highly esteemed by his peers, Hillegas lived an incredible life in extraordinary times. In addition to providing an invaluable service to his country by serving as treasurer from 1776-1789 (including an unanimous election in 1781), he invested heavily in his community and family, bequeathing legacies that endure even to this day. In every dimension of his life, Hillegas lived with purpose. He enjoyed great success in business, both as a merchant and a sugar refiner. He heavily invested in his hometown of Philadelphia, serving on the Provincial Assembly from 1765-1775, sharing responsibilities for numerous issues, including trade, navigation, Indian relations and finances. In addition, he held the rank of captain in the Philadelphia militia and an associate justice in the Mayor’s Court. Spiritually, he was a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church and served as a vestryman. Musically, he was a prodigious talent, attracting the attention and acclaim of our second president, John Adams. As Adams wrote in his diary: “Hillegas is one of our Continental treasures; is a great musician; talks perpetually of the forte and piano, of Handel and songs and tunes.” Yet he did not let success change his personality; his “courteous manner and genial disposition,” according to one biographer, gained him “hosts of friends.”[1]
Financially, he left a spotless and successful legacy. Generosity of heart and spirit characterized him, as he lent his personal money to improve public highways and rivers and docks and islands in the Delaware. Once the Revolutionary War began, he both donated and loaned money to support the Continental Army. This latter gift required extraordinary faith, considering that, militarily, the odds were heavily against the colonists defeating the most revered military power on earth. Had Britain won, Hillegas could very well have been hanged for treason. Instead, as Treasurer, he served with distinction, honor and the highest integrity, unsullied by scandal. When the United States needed the services of Michael Hillegas, he responded by investing the whole of his heart, soul and money. He was a true patriot.
As all great men realize, investment is far more than mere financial transactions. To be worthwhile, one must fully commit heart and mind to a cause greater than oneself. Investment demands sacrifice and, quite often, hardship. The payoff, however, exceeds the costs. Our nation was fortunate to have a leader with the character and integrity of Michael Hillegas. Here's to the wisdom and courage of the patriots who gave themselves and their wealth to create an independent America. Indeed, we are all indebted to the many patriots of the American Revolution, to their collective effort and sacrifice which transformed the dream of independence into reality. It is our charge, now, to use the freedoms we have inherited for the good of others.
As part of family legacies we are honor the sacrifices made by parents to improve their children's future. For generations most of the Hillegas' came from farming and coal mining communities in western Pennsylvania. Craig Hillegas’ paternal grandparents, neither of whom had a college education, bought U.S. Savings bonds and encouraged their four sons to go to college. They paid for their son’s college education through their frugal lifestyle and committed savings plans. The four sons in turn passed on this legacy to their children. (Craig is one of these children.) As a result, the descendants of the original families from Pennsylvania are now business executives, teachers, doctors and airline pilots. They are reaping the rewards of a college education, the legacy begun by their high school educated parents. As one of the grandchildren that benefited from this legacy, Craig is grateful to both his parents and grandparents for their timeless gift.
For more information:
[1] Minnich, Michael Reed. A Memoir of the First Treasurer of the United States: (Philadelphia, 1905), 17. For more information on Hillegas, please see this marvelous work.
United States Department of the Treasury - History of the Treasurer's Office
Excerpt from Lawmaking and Legislators in Pennsylvania
